Letter to the Editor

As I was driving by my neighbour’s house the other day, I couldn’t help but notice an old fire truck in his front yard. I asked myself, “What’s with the fire truck in his front yard?” So I had to stop in and ask WHY? My neighbour’s name is Larry LaPointe. Larry was a mechanic for the City of Cranbrook for the past 24 years; he also ran the shop as Shop Foreman for a number of years.

Larry recently retired from his job, but, not one to sit around for too long, he volunteered his time and skills to refurbish the Fire Department’s 1929 International Ladder Truck, the one that usually goes in the Sam Steele Days Parade. Larry, Paul, Cody and Murray were working on this truck at Cranbrook’s Public Works Garage. Paul, Cody and Murray are three firefighters who are also donating their spare time on this project.

After the team spent almost two weeks working on this project, at the works yard, one of the managers came down and asked Larry to leave and stated, you’re not allowed to be here anymore.

Larry is not totally sure why he has been asked to leave. He believes he still has W.C.B. coverage because he is actually still officially on the payroll until May 25 (collecting holiday pay). Larry offered to sign a waiver and pay his own insurance premiums if required, to remove the city’s name from any liability issues.

After being stonewalled with red tape and bureaucratic nightmares this project came to a sudden stop so he had the truck towed to his house.

Because this truck is 32 feet long, it won’t fit in his garage, and he has to work on it in the gravel. When I asked Larry the name of the Head Honcho who gave the orders to remove him from the shop, Larry said; “I don’t want to reveal his real name, so let’s just refer to him as ‘Joe Nobody.’”

I do not understand how “Mr. Nobody” has the right to put the run on our volunteers who are such an important part of our community.

In addition, the 1929 Ladder Truck is such an important part of Cranbrook’s history and heritage. After all, the city bought this truck, brand new, in 1929.

Larry says don’t worry; we will do our best to make sure this truck will be in the Sam Steele Days Parade this year. I say; Thanks Larry, for volunteering your time, and thanks to the three firefighters who are helping you in this worthy endeavor.

Perhaps, Mr. Pratt and Council, you could get Larry and his team back into the shop where they can do the job right.

Roy Simon,

Cranbrook

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